Acknowledgements
Acknowledgments To The Digital Edition
fill later
Acknowledgments From The First Edition
Lots of people contributed to make this book what it is, although any shortcomings in it are mine and mine alone.
As indicated in the Introduction, the late John T. Conners, Jr. gave me the chance to begin to learn the craft of trial advocacy during the first eleven years of my practice. Without his willingness to take me under his wing and teach me how to be a trial lawyer, there is no doubt that my career would have taken a far different course.
Special thanks to my assistant Kori Conner who keyboarded her way through multiple edits of the book, formatting it for publication and also providing helpful editing. Kori also guided the book printing company to get the book to print and worked with Burns Printing and Mailing, Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee to get the marketing material printed and distributed. Kori will also manage the non-financial aspects of the fulfillment process (she learned that by reading these words). Kori helps me spin my professional plates, making sure that if any hit the ground, they do not break.
Laura Bishop Baker ably edited prior versions of many of these chapters when they first appeared in the Tennessee Trial Law Report. Brandon Bass and Burke Keaty reviewed and provided helpful comments on Chapter 21. Mary Hutto Cocke painstakingly edited the final draft, making sure my thoughts were readable and the citations were correct. Her work made this a better book. Jessica Shafer chipped in to do the all-important final read.
Melissa Grimes expertly designed the cover and all the marketing materials for the book. Sara McDonald, CPA diligently managed all of the financial issues that have arisen and will arise from this project and will guide financial aspect of the fulfillment process with her typical extreme competence.
My wife, Joy Burns Day, a trial lawyer with lots of experience at the deep end of the litigation pool, also helped edit the book and permitted me to spend early mornings, nights, vacations and weekends working on it. Thank you, Joy, not only for your help on this book but also for managing our household and the vast majority of my personal life so that I can do what I love to do.
Finally, I would be remiss not to thank my lawyer adversaries over the last thirty-three years, each of whom have taught me a great deal about the need for preparation and a daily commitment to excellence. The Nashville and Tennessee Bars are blessed with many fine trial lawyers, and I have learned something from each one of them I have faced in my practice. Many of those lessons have found their way to this book.
Acknowledgments From The Second Edition
Did you read the Acknowledgements to the first edition? Well, I continue to acknowledge and thank each of those folks, because without the first edition there would be no second edition.
Jessica Shafer has picked up new duties, including helping me keep up with all the changes in the law and organizing everything so that the creation of the new edition can be efficient and relatively painless. My assistant, Kori Conner, continues to help me spin plates and appropriately and regularly reminds me of how essential she is in my professional life. Carey Turner now performs the role previously played by Sara McDonald, managing the financial and fulfillment end of the publishing process. (Sara retired with her husband to Florida, where the two of them continue to cheer for the Kentucky Wildcats.) Jordyn Stewart redesigned the cover of the book and will help with marketing efforts.
My wife Joy continues to tolerate a husband who spends a significant amount of time thinking about law and law practice. Her able and complete control over our personal life allows me to pursue my chosen vocation and avocation, which happen to be one and the same.
And, as before, my fellow lawyers continue to teach me how to become a better lawyer and a more effective advocate. Thank you.
